Scola’s solution to Rockets’ issues is to work harder

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Long after Monday’s game and again after Tuesday’s practice, Rockets forward Luis Scola pushed himself through sets of shooting drills, cutting through imaginary screens to take 18-foot jumpers.

“I try to do it all the time,” Scola said of the extra work. “Sometimes we don’t have time. I don’t like the way I’m playing. I know just one way to get back to what I do — just work hard.”

Rockets coach Kevin McHale described the effort as typical of Scola but not everyone.

“Luis is just a hard worker,” McHale said. “There’s a reason that guy’s a winner. … He’s just a grinder; he’s a worker. He makes it easy to come to work. I can’t say that for everybody.”

Poor defense tied to shooting?

The Rockets’ problems Monday were clearly on the defensive end, but they might have come as a poor reaction to repeated poor starts offensively. In the four-game homestand, the Rockets shot 4-of-14, 4-of-14, 4-of-12 and 4-of-12 to open games.

“That’s going to happen, but you can’t let that throw you into a blue funk for the night,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “If we’re going to rely on ‘if the ball goes in, we’ll play defense,’ we’ll have a lot of nights like that.”

Tonight: Rockets at SpursWhen/where: 7:30 p.m.; AT&T Center, San Antonio.TV/radio: FSH; 610 AM and 850 AM (Spanish).Players to watchRockets G Kevin Martin. He averaged 25 points on 52.6 percent shooting in the Rockets’ two wins over the Spurs and scored 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting in the loss. In his last five games, Martin has averaged 29.2 points on 50 percent shooting, hitting 43.5 percent from 3-point range.Spurs G Tony Parker. Parker had 28 points and eight assists against the Rockets in the Spurs’ win at San Antonio. Parker averages 18 points at home, 15.5 on the road.Rockets (12-9) update: Having split the four games in their homestand, the Rockets play seven of their next eight on the road, all against Western Conference teams. They have won two of three against the Spurs, losing in overtime in San Antonio.Spurs (13-9) update: The Spurs are 10-1 at home, including the win over the Rockets. Tim Duncan played only a half in the two losses in Houston. The Spurs are home for three games after winning two of three on the road in a four-day stretch that included an OT loss at Dallas. They then go on a nine-game trip that matches the longest in franchise history. Manu Ginobili (broken hand) is expected to begin one-on-one drills next week.By the numbers: 6. Spurs’ ranking in points per game and field-goal percentage (they are fourth in 3-point percentage) with the Rockets coming off their worst defensive game of the season.